A few years ago some baseball players exhibited a “super human” strength in their batting performance. Home records were broken. It turns out that these players were taking steroids. This chemical was the secret of their “super humanness.” Doctors, as we know, are slow to prescribed steroids because, even though they give temporary strength, in the long run they are destructive.
Are we aware that God has his own version of “steroids?” It is called “grace.” Though we do not understand what it is or how it works, we know that it is real and produces “super human” results. And, in the long run, it has no bad sad effects. The more we get it, the more we become like Christ, and the weaker is the hold of sin on us.
St. Paul talked to the Thessalonians about this divine “steroid.” The community was dealing with fear and anxiety over some false reports about the coming of Jesus. Paul addressed this community that was in turmoil (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 14-17).
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.”
When shaken in any way we are to “stand firm” and “hold fast” to our faith that is built not only on Sacred Scripture but also on the “oral” statements passed on by the leaders of the early Church.
Paul then prayed:
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage our hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.”
We note first that Paul had the power to bring the grace of God into the people of this community. This reminds us of our own prayer power. When we pray for someone, we ask God to confer his grace upon them. And he does!
Also it explains a little how grace works and how it impacts us. A seed of grace is not a temporary measure. It is a “forever” power that once planted continues to grow. And, encouragement, has to do with our hearts. Grace is directed first and foremost to our hearts. It has the power to give us courage when we are weak or fearful. As courage, given by grace, takes hold, it strengthens our heart and generates action. It gives us the supernatural energy we need to continue to manifest Jesus to the world through our good deeds and our uplifting words.
In the gospel selection today (Matthew 23:23-26) Jesus talks about religious practice devoid of grace—practices based on following details of the law rather than inspired by God’s presence within. In his indictment of the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus said:
“You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.”
What filled the hearts of these leaders was not grace but greed and self-indulgence. They were driven to go through religious motions so that others would be impressed and continue to support them financially. In the Kingdom of God members would be filled with grace, not greed.
In the midst of the upsetting conditions of our time, we release the fear and anxiety of our hearts to the power of God’s grace. We ask him to strengthen within us “everlasting encouragement and good hope” so that with new courage we can serve him both in good deeds and words.
“Turn your ear, O Lord, and answer me; save the servant who trusts in you, my God” (Ps 86:1).
